Once a specialty product purchased by a select few farmers and hobby gardeners, organic fertilizers have now become a common sight in virtually every garden center. With so much competition on the market, organic fertilizer manufacturers and dealers are looking at new ways to market their products and increase their sales.



Like all wise marketers, organic fertilizer distributors have learned that the best way to sell their product by combining loads of information with interesting displays and well-planned advertising campaigns. Cross-merchandising and educational marketing are two of the best sales strategies any organic fertilizer manufacturer can put into play.

Many organic fertilizer shops and garden centers rely on product displays to increase their sales bracket. The strategy in play consists of catching the consumer's attention by placing entire product lines in one expansive display. Other suppliers will scatter displays throughout the store to increase product presence and encourage people to buy. Another popular sales strategy is the careful placement of organic fertilizer products amid the plant department. For example, you might see a potted rosebush with a small display of organic fertilizers next to it. In doing so, the shopkeeper indicates that the fertilizer will indeed encourage flowers to bloom.

Organic fertilizers are typically differentiated by their N-P-K formulations. A variance in these formulations helps to determine the specific area of use the product is most suited, whether it be fruits and vegetables, flowers, lawn care or turf grass. For example, organic fertilizers with N-P-K formulations of 6-2-2 carry a high Nitrogen content, and are best suited for lawn grass. By advertising this fact, organic fertilizer dealers are able to educate their customers and ultimately increase their bottom line.

The colours and packaging materials used can also be used to create a good sales strategy. More and more organic fertilizer manufacturers have repackaged their products, choosing to use plastic instead of brown paper in an effort to improve their sales. Organic fertilizers wrapped in bright resealable plastic bags and plastic containers are certainly much more attractive, and catch the attention of more shoppers. Sharp, eye-catching floral photography on organic fertilizer bags will also attract consumers, luring them with the notion that their flowers will look every bit as beautiful if they use this particular product.

Another important part of the marketing plan is advertising. With a successful ad campaign in magazines, newspapers, radio or television, the supplier can increase sales, and the manufacturer can increase productivity. Also important in the advertising process is consumer education. Telling potential buyers what the product is, and how it is used, will also help to increase sales. Consumers generally prefer not to purchase products that they have little or no knowledge about. Organic fertilizer producers and marketers are advised to offer informative packaging, giving shoppers the chance to learn more before they buy.

In 2002, many organic fertilizer manufacturers reported an increase in their sales. For example, the Scott's Company reported a twenty percent increase in retail sales of its organic fertilizers and lawn plant food products. According to vice-president of lawn marketing Gordon Hecker, the Scott's Company was able to achieve this boost in sales without making any changes to their organic fertilizers products. The increase came about due to marketing strategy and improved in-store material display.

Green Light is another organic fertilizer manufacturer that experienced double-digit increases in their sales. The company, based in San Antonio, Texas, has concentrated on marketing their specialty organic fertilizers and plant foods with all-weather displays and plastic packaging.

The trick to making a profit in organic fertilizer sales is really no trick at all. Just apply the basic rules or marketing, and watch your sales grow.